Business Strategy & Growth | Asheville Downtown Association Member Mixer
Description
Join the Asheville Downtown Association for our Q2 Member Mixer!
Join us for an engaging and insightful session featuring marketing and business growth experts who will share practical, real-world strategies designed to help Downtown businesses thrive. This event will focus on actionable approaches to increasing visibility, attracting and retaining customers, and scaling sustainably in an ever-changing marketplace.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into building a strong and authentic brand, leveraging digital marketing tools and platforms, and developing effective customer acquisition strategies that drive measurable results. Our speakers will also explore how shifting consumer behaviors are impacting local businesses - and how to adapt with confidence and creativity.
Whether you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, or part of a growing team, this session will provide the tools, inspiration, and connections you need to elevate your business and stay competitive in today’s dynamic environment.
We are joined by the incredible creatives from East Fork, JD Ellison & Company, and Spicer Greene Jewelers!
You won't want to miss this - see you there!
Lineup
Ha Nguyen
EAST FORK Chief Commercial Officer Ha Nguyen is a multi-faceted brand leader with over 15 years of experience in the home and design industry. Known for her creative vision and strategic expertise, Ha has collaborated with internationally acclaimed designers and artists to create, market and sell products that transform everyday moments into sources of joy and beauty. As Chief Commercial Officer at East Fork, Ha has played a pivotal role in expanding the brand into an omnichannel presence while nurturing and growing its fiercely loyal fanbase. Ha’s leadership is grounded in a deep understanding of craft, culture, and community—making her a distinctive voice in the modern homeware landscape.
Jefferson "JD" Ellison
JD ELLISON & COMPANY Owner Jefferson "JD" Ellison, MBA is a strategist and brand builder working at the intersection of business, culture, and community. He advises small to mid-sized organizations, nonprofits, and public-facing institutions on brand positioning, narrative development, and growth strategy, developing integrated campaigns, guiding organizational strategy, and building culturally relevant brand ecosystems that connect deeply with target audiences. JD founded JD Ellison & Company in 2018. Through the firm, he has led projects ranging from local economic development initiatives and community engagement efforts to national brand partnerships and media campaigns. His work spans industries including tourism, public sector initiatives, arts and culture, hospitality, and consumer brands. He regularly collaborates with business owners, civic leaders, and creative partners to shape projects where cultural relevance and economic impact converge. He works with clients to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives, aligning brand identity with measurable business outcomes across communications, marketing, creative direction, content, partnerships, and live experiences. A native of Asheville, JD began his career in New York City, where he cut his teeth in fashion public relations, an industry that runs on storytelling, taste, and the ability to make people feel something before they understand why. He brings that instinct into every engagement, combining cultural insight with data and strategy to help organizations navigate growth, reposition their offerings, and build lasting relationships with their community.
Catherine Campbell
SPICER GREENE JEWELERS Chief Marketing Officer Catherine Campbell is the fractional Chief Marketing Officer of Spicer Greene Jewelers and owner of One For The Books, a PR and marketing agency specializing in food, beverage, hospitality and culture brands. A 2x agency founder with 20 years of experience, Catherine has also served as Director of Marketing for nationally-recognized brands WILDSAM and East Fork.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
